Selling your house is a large and challenging task, particularly for a first-timer. Between navigating a competitive housing market, staying up to date on local trends, and parting with something you’ve invested a lot of time and money into, you may not know where to begin. To set the stage for a smooth process, the real estate agents at Lawrence Realty Inc. in Red Wing, MN, share the do’s and don’ts of selling a home.

Do:

Focus on curb appeal.

Potential buyers will judge the appearance of your home before they ever set foot inside, so create a positive first impression. Make sure the lawn is freshly manicured and any flowers are in full bloom. Next, focus on the front entrance. Replace any rusted or old hardware, and give your door a fresh coat of paint. To ensure your home is in top shape, ask your real estate agent for feedback and make any improvements as necessary.

Stay abreast of market trends.

Knowing what’s happening in the current market will help you price and advertise your home effectively. Trust your real estate agent and take advantage of their expertise, as they’ll likely have a plan for pricing your home based on current conditions. They’ll also help you determine whether you should offer multiple open houses or keep the showings private, based on the appropriate price range and how other homes in the area are selling.

Don’t:

Overprice your home.

One of the biggest mistakes new sellers make is pricing their homes too high. Overpricing will discourage potential buyers and may keep them from visiting at all. Speak to your real estate agent about what homes like yours are selling for in the area. By establishing a fair value, you’ll ensure it doesn’t sit endlessly on the market.

Get emotionally involved.

With all of the time and money you’ve invested into your home, it’s easy to get emotionally involved. When this happens, it becomes difficult to see past obvious issues. If, for instance, you’re attached to the aging wallpaper because of sentimental value, you could turn off would-be buyers. Do your best to approach the process objectively and remember the reason you’re selling your house in the first place, which is typically to move on to a better home.  

If selling your house is a top priority, put your trust in Lawrence Realty Inc. For 68 years, their reputable agency has been a vital part of the Minnesota and Wisconsin real estate markets. They’ll list your home at a fair price and market it effectively to draw in interested buyers. To get your selling process underway today, contact a real estate agent at (651) 388-4745 or visit their website for more information.